Councilor's Corner - June 2008

I had promised you, in an earlier article, that as Chair of the ACS Committee on Membership Affairs, I would give you a full listing of all of the benefits available to ACS Members. I am placing that up-to-date information here for you to look at and hopefully take advantage of:

PERSONAL FINANCE

ACS offers a variety of financial programs through Bank of America to provide you with financial flexibility.

• Loans - ACS offers a fixed-payment, fixed-term, unsecured loan payment through Bank of America Loans. Loans of up to $25,000 are made available to qualified applicants. Call Bank of America toll-free at 1-888-788-8375 for more information.

• Deposit Accounts - Bank of America CD’s and money market accounts can help meet short-term or long-term financial goals. Both traditional, IRA and Roth IRA accounts are available. ACS members are offered attractive rates, flexible account options and superior customer service. Call Bank of America toll free at 1-800-414-4229 for more information.

• Credit Cards -
  The ACS MasterCard credit card, with WorldPoints rewards, offers unsurpassed benefits including zero annual fees, 24-hour customer service, fraud protection, and online account access. Show your pride by carrying the ACS MasterCard, which features a colorful periodic table design. Request yours today by calling 1-800-932-2775 (toll-free). Use priority code FAADFL and specify MasterCard.
  
  Take advantage of the ACS VISA credit card with zero annual fees and an exceptional rewards program. This card offers unsurpassed benefits including 24-hour customer service, fraud protection, and online account access. Request yours today by calling 1-800-932-2775 (toll-free). Use priority code FAADFL and specify VISA.
  
  The ACS American Express credit card from Bank of America, offers superb benefits including 24-hour customer service, fraud protection, and online account access. Request yours today by calling 1-800-932-2775 (toll-free). Use priority code FAADFL and specify American Express.
  
  

EDUCATION FINANCE
ACS and Chase Education Finance can help alleviate the stresses of financing higher education. Explore private education loans and consolidation options, as well as grant and scholarship opportunities. Here are a few services this program offers to ACS members and their families:

• Access to competitive student loans for funding undergraduate and graduate school education for both parents and students
• The Ed-Loans Wizard© Cost Calculator—find out what to expect and outline a financing plan
• The BrokeScholar scholarship search engine—connect with over 650,000 available awards and have your profile matched to the ones that are right for you
• The Student Loan Consolidation Program for postgraduate education debt management options
• For more information, visit www.acs.ed-loans.com or call toll-free at 1-866-908-2206.
  

TRAVEL AND HOTELS

• Betchart Expeditions - ACS offers exciting opportunites for worldwide adventures through ACS Expeditions, sponsored by Betchart Expeditions. Tour the Tibetan Plateau, Madagascar, Galapagos Islands, Machu Pichhu and other amazing destinations. Led by knowledgeable experts, ACS Expeditions offers unique itineraries and contact with local scientists, conservationists, and scholars. For more information, visit www.betchartexpeditions.com/acs or call toll-free at 1-800-252-4910
  
  
• Hotel Discounts -ACS members are guaranteed an additional 10% discount off the best available rate at over 6,500 Wyndham Hotel Group properties around the globe. A wide array of hotels is available—from budget-friendly hotels to luxurious resorts. Below is a list of participating properties:
  

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Wingate by Wyndham
Ramada
Baymont
Days Inn
Howard Johnson
TravelLodge
Super 8
Amerihost Inn
Knights Inn

For reservations, please call toll-free at 1-977-670-7088 or visit www.triprewards.com. Mention ACS ID# 62871 at time of reservation.

• CAR RENTALSACS members can save 5-25% on car rentals through Avis and Hertz. Use the contact information below for more details about discounts at your nearest Avis or Hertz:
  Avis - Discount (AWD), Authorization No. B120700. For reservations, call toll-free at 1-800-831-8000 (U.S.) or 1-800-879-2847 (Canada)
  Hertz - Authorization CDP No. 083855. Call toll-free at 1-800-654-2200 (U.S.) or 1-800-263-0600 (Canada).

COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC DISCOUNTS
ACS has teamed up with Dell, Inc. to offer ACS members attractive discounts on desktops, notebook computers, and a complete range of reliable and affordable software and peripherals like printers, projectors, and TV’s. For more information, visit www.dell.com/assn or call toll-free at 1-888-506-3355.

BOOKS-A-MILLION (BAM)
Enjoy the convenience of purchasing books through the ACS/BAM web site, and support the ACS Scholars Program at the same time. A portion of every purchase price will be donated to support this vital program.

For more information on member benefits, go to www.acs.org/membership and click on “personal benefits” or phone 1-800-227-5558, ext.4567 or 202-872-4600

I hope you find this information of use and take full advantage of the special benefits given to members. Please remember that I, and Jim Reynolds, are your voices on the national level. Feel free to contact me at 477-4903, email me at:

d.richard.cobb@kodak.com

or write me at:

15-C Greenleaf Meadows, Rochester, NY 14612.


Thank you!